Bippity Boppity Brr! My Very Meticulously Crafted Plans don't quite pan out.

[DisneyRed95]

Joining in! I'm a little late, but I'm all caught up!

Your daughters are so cute. It's sounds like you guys had a blast! I can't wait to read more. I love AKL and the Poly! Great places to stay!

 

[stephielela]

Speaking as a young mom, I can totally see the argument for waiting till later to have kids! I'm not THAT young, I had DS when I was 24, but it has limited the things I can afford to do. It's nice that we can still make trips to Disney, but I can only afford to stay in the values and going in the off season when I am paying. I would love to stay in a deluxe, but it's not in the cards for awhile, especially as a single parent. My parents also had me when they were young, (21 and 22) and I know that we were pretty broke when I was young. I have friends whose parents were much older when they were born, so they think it's funny when I talk about my parents turning 49. In the end, I am glad I had my son when I did, but I am not anxious to have another child yet, it will have to wait till I am much older, and more rested!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Hi! I'm super late, but I'm subbing! Sorry to hear about the various jokes the Vacation Gods played on you, but overall it sounds like you're having a good trip so far!

We had the same issue with online check in- it took WAY longer than regular check in, and I didn't get the king room we requested. Don't think we'll do that again.

I'm glad your Christmas card pic worked out even though you forgot a shirt at home! The shirts you chose look great!

Better late than never. Yes, the Vacation Gods did have some fun at my expense, but they also did stuff to make up for it. The good definitely outweighed the bad, and even the bad stuff wasn't that bad.

I still can't believe it took so long to get through the online checkin line, but it didn't mess things up too much.

Joining in! I'm a little late, but I'm all caught up!

Your daughters are so cute. It's sounds like you guys had a blast! I can't wait to read more. I love AKL and the Poly! Great places to stay!

Same thing, better late than never.

We did have fun, even with a few meltdowns along the way. Quite a few from the 8 year old who would sulk if we said we weren't shopping. That annoyed the crap out of me.

Speaking as a young mom, I can totally see the argument for waiting till later to have kids! I'm not THAT young, I had DS when I was 24, but it has limited the things I can afford to do. It's nice that we can still make trips to Disney, but I can only afford to stay in the values and going in the off season when I am paying. I would love to stay in a deluxe, but it's not in the cards for awhile, especially as a single parent. My parents also had me when they were young, (21 and 22) and I know that we were pretty broke when I was young. I have friends whose parents were much older when they were born, so they think it's funny when I talk about my parents turning 49. In the end, I am glad I had my son when I did, but I am not anxious to have another child yet, it will have to wait till I am much older, and more rested!

We only go in the off season. Regular and peak season prices are just not worth it. Next time we will probably do moderates, or maybe take a cruise. My wife doesn't really like cruises, but I'm sure she would take it over the walking around Disney. Even better, couple days at WDW, then a 4 day cruise.

 

[2kids2luv]

I know it's late but can I join too? We were checking out of AKL the day you arrived.

I'm jealous of your split stay at the Poly. I would love to stay there some day. You were able to see sooo many characters already and had great luck with the FP people. I think they were hiding from my family.

Enjoying your TR. Hope the vacation gods are gentle.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I know it's late but can I join too? We were checking out of AKL the day you arrived.

I'm jealous of your split stay at the Poly. I would love to stay there some day. You were able to see sooo many characters already and had great luck with the FP people. I think they were hiding from my family.

Enjoying your TR. Hope the vacation gods are gentle.

The more the merrier.

I will have to count, but I think we ended up meeting over 40 characters, some we met multiple times. I think we met Mickey 5 times, and to the delight of my oldest, we saw Cinderella 5 times too.

 

[annmarieda]

The more the merrier.

I will have to count, but I think we ended up meeting over 40 characters, some we met multiple times. I think we met Mickey 5 times, and to the delight of my oldest, we saw Cinderella 5 times too.

Oh my!!! That is awesome!! We have a hard time finding characters. Sometimes we get some that I would not have thought about, but never do we see that many or that many times for one!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Oh my!!! That is awesome!! We have a hard time finding characters. Sometimes we get some that I would not have thought about, but never do we see that many or that many times for one!

Well, 20 of them we met during character dining which to me is the best way to meet characters. Some we stumbled onto without expecting them, like Meeko, Thumper, Flik, Terk. They didn't have lines. The biggest surprise was seeing the Fairy Godmother just on the other side of the castle. She was standing there, and nobody was with her, so the kids got to run right up to her. Those cold mornings were good for something, kept people out of the parks.

 

[exwdwcm]

The move was very smooth. Disney moved our luggage for us, and delivered it to the room. As we were riding the monorail, I pointed out that we probably could have walked from TTC, and then we wound up walking almost all the way back just to get to our room.

I agree, if I had kids when I was younger, I wouldn't have been able to go to Disney, well, at least not at the Deluxe's.

As far as regrets, I try not to regret anything. I made a choice, and that's that. Nothing I can do about it now, so I can worry about it. That philosophy drives my wife up the wall though, she doesn't get why nothing seems to bother me. It's usually the stupid stuff that gets me mad.

great to hear, we might have to try the split stay this time! i am also going to keep in mind that walking to the Poly from the TTC might be easier than waiting on the monorail!

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

great to hear, we might have to try the split stay this time! i am also going to keep in mind that walking to the Poly from the TTC might be easier than waiting on the monorail!

That would definitely depend on what area of the resort you are staying in. For us, it was qucker, and closer to walk from the TTC. To get onto the resort monorail meant pushing the stroller up to the monorail platform. Waiting for a monorail. Riding it to the Poly. Getting into the Great Ceremonial House. Taking the elevator to the first floor. Then walking back to the room. That last walk is actually further than walking from TTC to our room, so that made the choice real simple.

Diane complained a couple times about us walking to and from the TTC, so the one day we rode the monorail so she could see that it actually took longer.

 

[brookies_mommy]

I've really enjoyed reading your post

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I've really enjoyed reading your post

Thanks. Been a little busy lately, so I need to start writing more entries.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Thanks. Been a little busy lately, so I need to start writing more entries.

Yes, yes you do.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I stole an idea from Mickey Mom. On her TR she listed the weather, the daily park, and what they wore. I decided to add this info to my own, but changed it slightly. Since we did a split stay I added the resort instead of what we wore. I updated the previous entries but here is the information for the first three days

Saturday, December 11th
Resort – Animal Kingdom Lodge
Park(s) – Hollywood Studios
Weather: high of 66 degrees, low of 50 degrees

Sunday, December 12th
Resort – Animal Kingdom Lodge
Park(s) – Animal Kingdom – DownTown Disney
Weather: high of 74 degrees, low of 47 degrees

Monday, December 13th
Resort – Animal Kingdom Lodge
Park(s) – Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Hollywood Studios
Weather: high of 49 degrees, low of 35 degrees

Tuesday, December 14th
Resort – Polynesian
Park(s) – EPCOT
Weather: high of 49 degrees, low of 28 degrees


Hopefully today I can get to writing about Day 5

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Yes, yes you do.

I will try to get to it today. Got to take the kids to a B-day party from 11-1. Hopefully I can write during the football games.

 

[annmarieda]

So am I correct in thinking that the 12th was actually pretty nice? Did you need jackets on that day at all?

Oh..but the next two days... those were cold days. I am really hoping it warmed up nice for you... can't wait to read if it did.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

So am I correct in thinking that the 12th was actually pretty nice? Did you need jackets on that day at all?

Oh..but the next two days... those were cold days. I am really hoping it warmed up nice for you... can't wait to read if it did.

The 12th was still pretty nice, but started getting chilly that night.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Wednesday, December 15th
Resort – Polynesian
Park(s) – Magic Kingdom
Weather: high of 60 degrees, low of 28 degrees

Planned activity for today

In the park early for 8:05 Breakfast at Crystal Palace
Get picture of family in front of castle while park is empty
After breakfast go through Castle to get to Fantasyland
Ride Dumbo
Take a spin on Cinderellas carousel (yes, I know they changed the name, but I don’t like the new one)
Head to Mickey’s Toon Town for 10 am opening
Get in line for Pixie Hollow to meet the fairies
Tour Mickey’s House
Tour Minnies House
Go on It’s a Small World
See Mickey’s Philarmagic
Snow Whites Scary Adventure
Peter Pan’s Magic Flight
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Celebrate a Dream Come True parade
Dinner at Plaza Restaurant at 5:10
Watch Castle Lighting Ceremony
Main Street Electrical Parade
Wishes Nightime Spectacular

So we have quite a bit of stuff to do. We start the day bright an early leaving the room around 7:15 so we can get to the park on time. So we head over to the TTC to take the ferry. Unfortunately the ferry doesn’t start until 8:00 which is not going to work. The monorails aren’t running, I think the cold really bothers them. Ugh, how the heck are we supposed to get to the Magic Kingdom. We ask a CM, and he points us toward the bus area. Why am I staying at a Monorail resort just to take a bus to MK. Ugh, ok, I will ride a bus. Bummer.

View from the Ferry Dock.

We get to the park, and head up to get in.

Look, our own private entrance. Well, I guess others can us it.

Hey look, PhotoPass Photographers.

Do you want a magical pose? YOU BET!

The park is pretty empty, so we can get some nice pics walking up main street.

Time to check a big item off the list. A picture of us in front of the castle without crowds of people.

We then head over to Crystal Palace for breakfast. Get a pic of the kids outside, as you can see it's a bit chilly in the morning.

Check in is pretty quick, and after a short wait we are in. The kids love getting to meet Pooh and Friends.

Mom loves Pooh

Tigger is dads favorite.

By the time we get done the park is officially open to the masses, but since it is cold I think some of them are still hanging out at the resorts. Good for us, less people mean less lines. We walk through a nearly deserted Castle heading towards Dumbo. I see The Fairy Godmother standing without anyone around, so hey let’s get a pic

After that I see Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia, but they have a line and we will see them at Park Fare in a few nights.

We get onto Dumbo, and only had to watch 3 rides before we are put in our queue. Can’t beat a short wait for Dumbo.

This photo was taken after riding Dumbo at 9:35

Since it is getting close to 10, we head off to Toon Town, we can get on the carousel later. We arrive just as Toon Town is opening, and there aren’t that many people. Park the stroller and we get in line for the Fairies. We shrink down to Fairy Size. This is cute, but they should have a similar thing when you exit. Apparently, that door automatically makes you grow.

This photo was taken at 9:42 AM.

See some Fairies, Rosetta, Tink, and Vidia.

OK, Faires are done, Tinkerbell tells Ally if she sees Peter Pan to ask him to crow like a rooster.

We walk quickly through the gift shop and get in line to meet the princesses, the wait for the Fairies is now 30 minutes but the line doesn’t look that long, so that might not be right. We see the Princesses.

Ally sees her favorite Princess for the first time this trip.

After we get out in the hallway we see Peter Pan. Amazing luck. Ally is a bit shy, so I ask him to crow. Wow is he loud.

So we get a pic with Pet Pan. Time stamp on this photo 10:13. 31 minutes to see the Fairies, the Princess, and meet Peter Pan. Somebody call Guiness, that has to be a record.

I am at my pic limit for this entry, so this day will need to be continued.

 

[Tinkermom76]

That is a great pic of your family in front of the castle!

The fairies are awesome aren't they?

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

You get to see all the cool characters!!! LOL

Tigger is also DH's favorite. Eeyore is mine.

The line for the fairies and princesses is very deceiving. The line always looks longer on one side, but has a shorter time.

Quit watching the Jets and finish up!! LOL

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

That is a great pic of your family in front of the castle!

The fairies are awesome aren't they?

Hey!!! You have a ticker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!